To vaccinate or not??

I am a FTM. Can not decide whether I want to vaccinate my child or not. I need more information and don't know where to look. Multiple parents with children with autism (i am a teacher) have told me they 100% believe vaccinations are responsible for their child developing autism. This is a huge concern for me. I have tried to do research but it is so controversial and overwhelming I don't know what side to believe. I would like to know others opinions regarding this issue... And what are the reasons behind your beliefs. If u choose not to vaccinate is it all vaccinations are just certain ones? Help please :(

I am a FTM. Can not decide whether I want to vaccinate my child or not. I need more information and don't know where to look. Multiple parents with children with autism (i am a teacher) have told me they 100% believe vaccinations are responsible for their child developing autism. This is a huge concern for me. I have tried to do research but it is so controversial and overwhelming I don't know what side to believe. I would like to know others opinions regarding this issue... And what are the reasons behind your beliefs. If u choose not to vaccinate is it all vaccinations are just certain ones? Help please :(

Personally, I don't believe vaccines cause autism. There just isn't the science behind it to prove it.

The whole theory was based on one "doctor's" findings. As it turns out, the sample size of his "study" was 9 children. Also, he was paid by the lawyers representing the families claiming autism. Not exactly credible research...

Subsequently, this "doctor" has had his medical license revoked, and the journal that published his findings revoked the article.

Sure, you'll find lots of anecdotal evidence that vaccines cause autism. But think about where it's coming from - Jenny McCarthy vs someone with an actual degree in medicine...

The fact is, they just don't know what causes autism. Could it be vaccines? Maybe, but science just has not been able to link the two at this time. It could just as easily be the products we clean our homes with, the food we eat, etc.

Again, this is all just my opinion. But it's something I've spent a lot of time researching, for both personal and professional reasons. At the end of the day, you need to do what you feel is right for your family.

For me, it's simple - I'll be vaccinating. There's a reason vaccines have been called one of the greatest achievements in modern medicine.

Personally, I don't believe vaccines cause autism. There just isn't the science behind it to prove it.

The whole theory was based on one "doctor's" findings. As it turns out, the sample size of his "study" was 9 children. Also, he was paid by the lawyers representing the families claiming autism. Not exactly credible research...

Subsequently, this "doctor" has had his medical license revoked, and the journal that published his findings revoked the article.

Sure, you'll find lots of anecdotal evidence that vaccines cause autism. But think about where it's coming from - Jenny McCarthy vs someone with an actual degree in medicine...

The fact is, they just don't know what causes autism. Could it be vaccines? Maybe, but science just has not been able to link the two at this time. It could just as easily be the products we clean our homes with, the food we eat, etc.

Again, this is all just my opinion. But it's something I've spent a lot of time researching, for both personal and professional reasons. At the end of the day, you need to do what you feel is right for your family.

For me, it's simple - I'll be vaccinating. There's a reason vaccines have been called one of the greatest achievements in modern medicine.

I believe the reasons people believe vaccines cause autism is because its first signs of autism start to show around around the same time kids get their fort vaccines. Your right, it's very controversial. You know what's worse than a child with autism though? A dead child. sorry to be graphic, but Before the MMR shot, measles killed 2.5 million kids a year. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs286/en/

I believe the reasons people believe vaccines cause autism is because its first signs of autism start to show around around the same time kids get their fort vaccines. Your right, it's very controversial. You know what's worse than a child with autism though? A dead child. sorry to be graphic, but Before the MMR shot, measles killed 2.5 million kids a year. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs286/en/

I'll be vaccinating but for a different reason. One of my physicians believed vaccines were not important because she was a doctor and she could keep her son healthy. Unfortunately he contracted a disease when he was 3 years old and after 3 months in the hospital he was finally discharged. Today he has some lingering physical problems. She does not give specifics because she doesn't want her patients to only choose certain vaccines but not others. Due to her experience I will be vaccinating. This is by and large not the case over all, but it is a possibility. I don't want to scare anyone, just share why I'm choosing to vaccinate. I would talk to your doctor and pediatrician for further advice or at least to help point you in the direction of information where you can then decide for yourself. Good luck!

I'll be vaccinating but for a different reason. One of my physicians believed vaccines were not important because she was a doctor and she could keep her son healthy. Unfortunately he contracted a disease when he was 3 years old and after 3 months in the hospital he was finally discharged. Today he has some lingering physical problems. She does not give specifics because she doesn't want her patients to only choose certain vaccines but not others. Due to her experience I will be vaccinating. This is by and large not the case over all, but it is a possibility. I don't want to scare anyone, just share why I'm choosing to vaccinate. I would talk to your doctor and pediatrician for further advice or at least to help point you in the direction of information where you can then decide for yourself. Good luck!

I will not be vaccinating until my child is one. I am a FTM, and a nurse. I went to a vaccine lecture and heard the pros and cons. People are very opinionated about the topic and both sides have their valid reasons. It comes down to you making an educated choice. I wish I could upload the lecture notes I received at the class but there is a huge stack and it will probably not scan/upload well. Below is a pretty good link to look at that I found from another mom on one of the boards... http://www.greatmothersquestioningvaccines.com/

I will not be vaccinating until my child is one. I am a FTM, and a nurse. I went to a vaccine lecture and heard the pros and cons. People are very opinionated about the topic and both sides have their valid reasons. It comes down to you making an educated choice. I wish I could upload the lecture notes I received at the class but there is a huge stack and it will probably not scan/upload well. Below is a pretty good link to look at that I found from another mom on one of the boards... http://www.greatmothersquestioningvaccines.com/

I'm going to do a delayed schedule. I don't like the thought of inundating my babies system with a bunch of vaccinations at once. I know many doctors do this. I'm definitely not going to do the hep vaccination at birth and I'm going to see if there's an oral alternative for the vitamin K injection...

I'm going to do a delayed schedule. I don't like the thought of inundating my babies system with a bunch of vaccinations at once. I know many doctors do this. I'm definitely not going to do the hep vaccination at birth and I'm going to see if there's an oral alternative for the vitamin K injection...

Vaccines don't cause Autism. They still don't know what causes Autism, just like SIDs they still don't know what causes it. People can speculate but that is all it is.

If that is the only thing that is stopping you then do some research about it.

To me it is worth it to do your research. It is a big decision and many people are either for or against vaccines. You need to sort through all the info out there and find the right choice for you and your family. Also you and your SO need to talk about it. Look into your state guidelines about attending school without vaccines.

My DD gets vaccinated and on schedule. My DS does get vaccinated but on a delayed schedule. Some vaccines have a different effect on boys, and he has allergies so he gets monitored for reactions. This child will be vaccinated.

Find what works for you and your family.

Vaccines don't cause Autism. They still don't know what causes Autism, just like SIDs they still don't know what causes it. People can speculate but that is all it is.

If that is the only thing that is stopping you then do some research about it.

To me it is worth it to do your research. It is a big decision and many people are either for or against vaccines. You need to sort through all the info out there and find the right choice for you and your family. Also you and your SO need to talk about it. Look into your state guidelines about attending school without vaccines.

My DD gets vaccinated and on schedule. My DS does get vaccinated but on a delayed schedule. Some vaccines have a different effect on boys, and he has allergies so he gets monitored for reactions. This child will be vaccinated.

If everyone vaccinated deadly diseases would not stand a chance. Its the parents that don't vaccinate create a risk of the disease existing. They are the first ones running to clinics to get their child a needle when there is an outbreak. Agree completely with pp about the doc whose license was revoked for creating a bs connection to autism! Do I agree with giving your child antibiotics for ever cold and flu symptom No they have immune systems for that. Do I believe in vaccines absolutely. Another point.. being pregnant and coming into contact with a person who, for example, has chicken pox can have serious adverse effects on your unborn baby. Not vaccinating puts other people with health problems at risk. Would really like to know what sways parents not to vaccinate.

If everyone vaccinated deadly diseases would not stand a chance. Its the parents that don't vaccinate create a risk of the disease existing. They are the first ones running to clinics to get their child a needle when there is an outbreak. Agree completely with pp about the doc whose license was revoked for creating a bs connection to autism! Do I agree with giving your child antibiotics for ever cold and flu symptom No they have immune systems for that. Do I believe in vaccines absolutely. Another point.. being pregnant and coming into contact with a person who, for example, has chicken pox can have serious adverse effects on your unborn baby. Not vaccinating puts other people with health problems at risk. Would really like to know what sways parents not to vaccinate.

I would recommend the vaccine book by Dr Sears. Though he is pro vaccine, it has a lot of great basic info about the ingredients in the vaccines, how risky the actually sickness is, and what are the chances your child has of catching them. He does think that there is a better schedule for them. It was the place I started with when I was making this decision with my son. I eventually decided to delay vaccines, allowing his immune system to develop naturally and he is just getting his first vaccine at the age of 2. We decided that the known risk was something that we were willing to live with while the unknown risks of the vaccine we could not. I also stay home with my son and do extended breast feeding, which greatly reduced his exposure and risks.

I would recommend the vaccine book by Dr Sears. Though he is pro vaccine, it has a lot of great basic info about the ingredients in the vaccines, how risky the actually sickness is, and what are the chances your child has of catching them. He does think that there is a better schedule for them. It was the place I started with when I was making this decision with my son. I eventually decided to delay vaccines, allowing his immune system to develop naturally and he is just getting his first vaccine at the age of 2. We decided that the known risk was something that we were willing to live with while the unknown risks of the vaccine we could not. I also stay home with my son and do extended breast feeding, which greatly reduced his exposure and risks.

Please don't be scared out of your possible no vaccination decision Bc people are claiming that your child could possibly die bc he/she isn't vaccinated. Is it possible, yes. Is it also possible to die from vaccines, yes. There is a wealth of information out there and if you have a naturopath dr in your town they offer a lot of information, in my case very unbiased. Our child will be seen by a regular pediatrician, and you can do a delayed schedule and pick and choose which ones you want and don't. Depending on where your from, your lifestyle, and where you travel will affect what vaccines you choose to give.

Please don't be scared out of your possible no vaccination decision Bc people are claiming that your child could possibly die bc he/she isn't vaccinated. Is it possible, yes. Is it also possible to die from vaccines, yes. There is a wealth of information out there and if you have a naturopath dr in your town they offer a lot of information, in my case very unbiased. Our child will be seen by a regular pediatrician, and you can do a delayed schedule and pick and choose which ones you want and don't. Depending on where your from, your lifestyle, and where you travel will affect what vaccines you choose to give.

I will definitely be vaccinating my child. I do not want my child to get a horrible disease just because someone said that vaccinations cause autism. There is no proof behind this theory. Autism is a heart-wrenching thing and some parents need something to blame.

I will definitely be vaccinating my child. I do not want my child to get a horrible disease just because someone said that vaccinations cause autism. There is no proof behind this theory. Autism is a heart-wrenching thing and some parents need something to blame.

As PPs said, the major study that was said to have found to link vaccines and autism was disproven and the doctor recanted his findings.

I know a couple with an autistic child and they think there is a link, but it's not based on any real research, it's honestly more a family who is just grasping at straws to find an explanation.

I believe the frequency of autistic diagnosis has probably gone up because they know what to look for now, maybe environmental factors (ie chemicals/additives in food)... not because there are vaccines now.

I know from talking to two family doctors and the nurses at the public health unit when DD was born that there are WAY more instances of diseases and outbreaks now because there are a ton of people that are choosing not to vaccinate because they believe the link between autism and vaccines. (Ie the whooping cough outbreak last year).

Do you research about vaccines and chose based on your beliefs etc... but do it independent of the autism link because there is just nothing concrete to say what causes or leads to autism, especially not that vaccines cause it!

As PPs said, the major study that was said to have found to link vaccines and autism was disproven and the doctor recanted his findings.

I know a couple with an autistic child and they think there is a link, but it's not based on any real research, it's honestly more a family who is just grasping at straws to find an explanation.

I believe the frequency of autistic diagnosis has probably gone up because they know what to look for now, maybe environmental factors (ie chemicals/additives in food)... not because there are vaccines now.

I know from talking to two family doctors and the nurses at the public health unit when DD was born that there are WAY more instances of diseases and outbreaks now because there are a ton of people that are choosing not to vaccinate because they believe the link between autism and vaccines. (Ie the whooping cough outbreak last year).

Do you research about vaccines and chose based on your beliefs etc... but do it independent of the autism link because there is just nothing concrete to say what causes or leads to autism, especially not that vaccines cause it!

I just want to say how wonderful this thread is. It was polite despite a few different opinions and some posted great links. Way to go ladies for remaining both positive and supportive no matter what your beliefs in this matter!! :)

I just want to say how wonderful this thread is. It was polite despite a few different opinions and some posted great links. Way to go ladies for remaining both positive and supportive no matter what your beliefs in this matter!! :)

I highly recommend you to make your own decision based upon your own research. No one should force you into anything you don't feel 100% about. My husband and I have decided to do a delayed schedule for our son. He will not receive the Hep B shot in the hospital but will at a later time. We will re-asses vaccines when he is 6 months and when we do choose to start vaccines it will be no more then 2 shots per visit. Whether there is an actual link between autism and vaccines..I don't know..but I understand why parents blame the vaccines..any parent would do it. Growing up I was sick all the time..I honestly feel a lot of the issues now a days is the over usage of antibiotics so then when someone actually needs them they are not effective. Just a little of info..the whooping cough break out...80% of children who had whooping cough were FULLY vaccinated. People just assume it was the children that weren't vaccinated that caught it. Do your own research..read and read until you feel confident in whichever decision you choose! And whichever decision you do choose in the end will be perfect for your family and that's all that matters!!

I highly recommend you to make your own decision based upon your own research. No one should force you into anything you don't feel 100% about. My husband and I have decided to do a delayed schedule for our son. He will not receive the Hep B shot in the hospital but will at a later time. We will re-asses vaccines when he is 6 months and when we do choose to start vaccines it will be no more then 2 shots per visit. Whether there is an actual link between autism and vaccines..I don't know..but I understand why parents blame the vaccines..any parent would do it. Growing up I was sick all the time..I honestly feel a lot of the issues now a days is the over usage of antibiotics so then when someone actually needs them they are not effective. Just a little of info..the whooping cough break out...80% of children who had whooping cough were FULLY vaccinated. People just assume it was the children that weren't vaccinated that caught it. Do your own research..read and read until you feel confident in whichever decision you choose! And whichever decision you do choose in the end will be perfect for your family and that's all that matters!!

The material on this website is provided for educational purposes only and is not to be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, or in place of therapy or medical care. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy

Advertising Notice

This Site and third parties who place advertisements on this Site may collect and use information about your visits to this Site and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you. If you would like to obtain more information about these advertising practices and to make choices about online behavioral advertising, please click here